Applications open for INVENT Annual Competition – Ireland

INVENT provides a global platform and robust support system for impactful projects and is supported by Catalyst and Bank of Ireland.

Categories: Creative Leisure, Green Horizons, Future Business, BioBreakthroughs, Living Well and Uncharted Ideas.

Why apply for INVENT?

• Validation: Gain recognition and validation for your innovative ideas and projects.
• Networking: Access a quality network of influencers, peers, and industry experts to foster collaboration and growth.
• Exposure: Showcase your innovation to a global audience, gaining high-profile visibility.
• Funding: Opportunity to secure a share of the £55,000 prize fund to further develop and scale your innovation.
• Learning: Access support and workshops to enhance your entrepreneurial skills and navigate the challenges of innovation.
• By participating in INVENT, you not only gain exposure and validation but also access valuable resources and opportunities to propel your innovation journey forward.

Who can apply for INVENT?

• Startups: Individuals or teams with innovative business ideas or prototypes.
• Students: Aspiring entrepreneurs from universities or educational institutions.
• Researchers: Professionals engaged in research and development seeking to commercialise their findings.
• Side Projects: Passionate individuals pursuing innovative projects alongside their main activities.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Entrants may or may not have incorporated a company.
• Entrants must have no more than 5 paid employees.
• Founder(s) and Innovation Development must be based in Northern Ireland or County Donegal, Ireland. This will be determined based on the postcode provided by the Entrant in the application form. The Organiser reserves the right to request proof of residence at any stage. Entrants must ensure that their innovation’s development is within the specified geographical areas to qualify for participation in the INVENT 2024 competition. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of residence and/or location of Innovation Development may result in disqualification from the INVENT competition.
• Innovations which have previously qualified for the final round of INVENT and formerly named ‘£25K Awards’ are not eligible to apply.
• All individual participants forming an Entrant must be aged 18 or over by the point of application deadline.
• Innovations must have a basic prototype.
• At the point of application, Entrants must not have received capital or loan funding of £200,000 from any source. Grants are permitted and do not count towards the £200,000 limit. Entrants must disclose all funding received at point of application. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the INVENT competition.

For more information, visit Catalyst.